The practice yard sand is raked smooth and a map poured in tinted tones depicting Southport and its surrounding environs. The city is picked out in red-and-black, the wilds in variegated greens, darker for forest, winding blue strands for rivers spilling into likewise blue sea - someone got enthusiastic with the artisanship and depicted estuaries where fresh water meets salt and brighter blue fades to deep, brown for hills and mountains. Towns, villages, and roads, are picked out in white, larger and smaller.

Vitalis circles the map, studying it or studying the effect of it, some of each, mind awhirl as he ponders the engagements that will occur in its analog in the near future.

"Impressive." Pasquale says simply when he sees the map. "This must have taken a great deal of time." His eyes search the details critically. "How up to date was the information?"

Ras skulks in nosily, eyeballing the area and those standing in the yard.

Not one to generally attend these meetings, Alessia Mazetti, arrives a little late, approaching her cousin poring over the map. "Lord Pasquale." She greets politely, before turning to look down. "That is impressive." She raises her brows, glancing up as Pasquale poses his query. A smile is offered to the man who skulks in.

"It is as accurate as we can afford for it to be between security concerns and the half-dozen orphans we brought in to train and help dribble the sand-" Vitalis grins, lopsided at Alessia, "Training can't start young enough, eh Cousin?" He looks to Pasquale, "It is up-to-date and accurate enough for our purposes today." He glances up at something moving along the periphery, "You there." Ras. "Do you mind standing-" he squints and points at a spot between pillars, some bit away, "There. And welcome," he calls, grinning.

Adjutant General Vincenzo di Malvici, 6 Malvici Guards arrive, following Calypso.

Ras gives an uncertain smile, squares his shoulders, and walks over to the spot between the pillars. "Why do you want me to stand over here?" he asks, and licks his finger to test the direction of the wind.

Pasquale gives a nod at Vitalis' response, apparantly satisfied. "I'll have to think about recruiting one, or two, of them." He glances curiously to Ras, offers a brief nod in greeting, and then looks over to Alessia. "A pleasure to see you Lady Alessia."

(For the new people) The practice yard sand is raked smooth and a map poured in tinted tones depicting Southport and its surrounding environs. The city is picked out in red-and-black, the wilds in variegated greens, darker for forest, winding blue strands for rivers spilling into likewise blue sea - someone got enthusiastic with the artisanship and depicted estuaries where fresh water meets salt and brighter blue fades to deep, brown for hills and mountains. Towns, villages, and roads, are picked out in white, larger and smaller. Vitalis is circling the map, Alessia is approaching him, Ras has just arrived and Pasquale is near the edge of the training circle.

Golden, an Oakhaven bloodhound, Gunther, a Rottweiler, Micana, 1 Saik Guard arrive, following Lucita.

"I know I didn't start early enough." The glaivedancer muses, eyes fixed on the map. At Ras' words, she glances up, a wry smile appearing on her lips. "Not target practice I'm sure." She turns to Vitalis. "Right, cousin?"

Lucita leaves her dogs with a guard back at the entry and steps into the area. Her gaze drifts over those present, a beguiling smile given ones she recognizes. She says nothing but lets her gaze fall upon the sandy map laid out to be examined. Her head tips and she absently tucks a wayward curl behind one ear.

Golden, an Oakhaven bloodhound have been dismissed.

Gunther, a Rottweiler have been dismissed.

Vitalis grins at Alessia, "No, not target practice. Not today." He looks from her to Ras, "You-" Vitalis addresses Ras, pausing when he finds he doesn't have the man's name, "I am Vitalis Mazetti, Shield of the Unseen. Here today are my cousin, Lady Alessia Mazetti, Lord Pasquale Malespero, Baroness Lucita Saik," he bows in welcome and gestures to those gathered, "And others interested in the work progressing."

Vitalis continues, "You are the Lodge of Petrichor. Last year, when the Explorers and Mirrorguard delved the caves where cultists laired, we turned up evidence that they were retreating to Lenosia," he points at a man south of Ras and east of the sand map stuffing his face with canape. He wandered in when it seemed there were refreshments to be had (there are) and now looks startled, glancing over his shoulder as if Lenosia might be just there. "-and Southport." He gestures at the map. "The Mirrorguard has been tasked with running these cultists to ground."

Calypso arrives, late. Fairly late. But she arrives. She pauses a moment to take in those that are here before moving on, waving her guards to stand back and give her a little space, though Vincenzo does accompany her forwards as she approaches the map. "I am sorry for my tardiness. I was held up by matters that required tending to. What have I missed?" She asks, looking around at the group, pausing as she listens to Vitalis speak.

Ras shifts suspiciously at the implication that he might be target practice, but upon hearing that he's the lodge of Petrichor, his sullen frown vanishes. He nods self-importantly and seems unable to suppress a grin, but it fades into a furrowed brow as he focuses on comprehending the rest of the information.

Lucita glances up at Vitalis. "We did not learn anything like that but then at the Lodge, that was not my purpose. I was with Archduchess Eleyna's group of ritualists as a singer helping deal with one of the gargantuans so this is new to me.

Leporis, the silent handmaiden arrives, following Joslyn.

Pasquale watches Vitalis speak attentively but remains silent. After a moment he moves to sit on one of the nearby benches with his hands folded in his lap and his gaze turned towards the training area and map.

Listening intently, Alessia takes a seat beside the baroness, attention fixed on her cousin as he speaks of the cultists. "Shadowspeakers." She murmurs, perhaps trying to recall if the word is familiar.

Vitalis grins at Ras, "What should we call you, Messere Lodge?" He straightens at Calypso's arrival, "Duchess," he bows deep as she approaches, "You have missed that we are not taking target practice-" gesturing at the man he called 'Messere Lodge' and that the map is as accurate as security and the interest of some young conscripts will allow." A nod to Alessia at 'Shadowspeakers.' And then to Pasquale, "Lord Malespero, would you mind discussing who we're seeking? There's an-" His attention has been taken by a leaf that threatens to lay siege to Southport. "-interloper." He looses Engima from its catch and winds the tip around his wrist offering the handle for someone near to take. Counterbalance.

"Ras," the teenager introduces himself, boots planted wide in the sand, staying firm where he is. He seems to be taking his role on the map very seriously. If he could start growing moss to look more like the Lodge of Petrichor, maybe he would.

Pasquale sighs as the proverbial podium is handed to him and returns to his feet. "We know that the shadowspeakers have been active for a considerable amount of time and that they either are part of, or are heavily associated with, some of the groups of shavs who exist outside of southport. The shavs themselves are fairly typical; a motley collection of clans each with its own leader. Yet the shadowspeakers must be treated cautiously. Records show that they are capable of bringing a creature called a shadow hunter into the field. This creature is very dangerous and effectively invisible."

Joslyn slides into the background, a silent observer for the duration of the meeting. Settled down, she just listens, nodding along as people around her speak.

Marius, 1 House Corvini Guard arrive, following Giulio.

Lucita says, "These Shadowspeakers, are they amid the abandoned I helped Duchess Calypso and Calista with on the diplomatic missions around Southport? The ones that may have had the tattoos behind one ear that Lady Eirene was checking for?"

"Leporis." Alessia manages to recall. "I read her confession." She nods before turning to Vitalis. "What did they mean by compromised by the archduchess? As in have they been captured or are they folk pretending to be part of the compact?"

Calypso the Duchess of the city in question tips her head to Vitalis in greeting, then lets her eyes wander around, offering no corrections to the map before her. There is a quirk of a brow at the leaf being called an interloper. But she listens as Pasquale speaks, her head tipping lightly, the information not surprising her. Already known. But she stays quiet, simply inclining her head as she studies the map that's been made, and listens to the others talk, keeping her own counsel for the moment.

12 House Velenosa Guards, Ibasia, the Velenosa Lady-in-Waiting, Ellani, the palm sized spider arrive, following Jaenelle.

Pasquale looks across at Lucita. "I have not myself seen any of them." he admits. "But it is clearly some sort of cult. What information I have suggests that they have made a pact to live in the shadows and seem to revere the shadow in an almost religious sense despite still calling the faith of the pantheon their own. I have also seen a record which tells of a group bending the knee in an attempt to get access to the lands of the compact."

Lucita'

Ras hooks his thumbs into his backpack straps, listening in silent fascination.

Lucita's expression is intent as she listens to the information shared with her. "They will be hard to detect if they are careful."

Jaenelle might be a little late to the going ons, and is quite content to sit towards the back and not draw any attention to herself, not wishing to cause any alarm or distraction from the current conversation. Her attention is focused on Pasquale then to Lucita as they speak to one another.

The slender figure of the Corvini count makes his way into the Practice Yard. Something of a smile lingers on his lips, dark gaze flitting about the yard. "Good evening," he murmurs, one brow arching as he listens. "By compromised, we mean that they're loyalty to their Abyssal masters is in question, cousin. Our duty, now, is to widen the gap." His head tilts once. "Lord Malespero," he says, nodding to Pasquale. Marius hands his master a goblet of brandy, produced from a bottle that is kept in a satchel.

"I do hope everyone is well this evening?" He seems... amused, perhaps, though his smile is more sardonic, than pleasant.

Beaming as her cousin enters the room, Alessia straightens. "Do we know what lead to this flimsy loyalty?" A faint smile appears on her lips.

Pasquale inclines his head in response to the greeting from Giulio. "Count Corvini knows more of the circumstances surrounding this than I do." He gestures for Giulio to take the floor, takes a single step back and then returns to his seat.

"Thank you, Lord Pasquale." With no counterbalance offered, Vitalis merely squints at the leaf, some silent warning issued, it trembles, not in fear as he might hope... but on the verge of tumbling. "Yes, and they're likely to be savvy enough to have their own information networks which is why meetings like this are rare."

Vitalis looks over as the Commander of the Mirrorguard makes his appearance, whistling sharply. No one missed the Commander's entrance, it's their business to pay attention, but they all draw up sharply at the whistle to offer a salute, a bow, a nod as station dictates. "Thank you, Commander, I was actually hoping you could address that very point. We are as well as circumstances allow," Vitalis offers, noncommitally, grinning.

"We are hoping to find an investigator for the efforts in Southport itself led by Unseen Agostino who is-" Vitalis grins, "Playing his role quite ably at the moment. And I'll be leading the foray into the wilderness and villages with Duchess Calypso," he nods, "And Lord Martino. I'm hoping to have one or two others who can hack the wilderness literally and figureatively to provide arms should we have to get the Duchess clear of anything, but also anyone with knowledge of these abyssal agents who could help us find them and root them out." He looks rather pointedly at Lucita, nodding, moving towards her. "Anyone who is able to go will have further briefings, equipment provided. Oh." He turns, "I've begun research into a tool devised by Brass to thwart a Shadow Hunter's senses, if anyone thinks they could be of service there, please do let me know."

Lucita's eyes darken as she looks toward Vitalis. "That is what killed Lady Eirene's husband, horrible terrible things." The thought of one makes her go a shade paler. "The only knowledge I have is shared with Duchesses Calypso, Calista when we went there as a group. I was about seven months pregnant at the time and they rather sheltered me somewhat. I just recall what Lady Eirene mentined about potential hostiles having some sort of tattoo behind one ear and am not sure it is even the same group to which these Shadowspeakers are. Still, I am a loyal vassal of the Malvici and if they are facing risk, I will do my part to try to help fend it off. Send me the information and will try to assist.

"Mmm. It is, like all such things, complicated." One corner of Giulio's mouth ticks up in that dark amusement. "I could go into a long, drawn out dissertation on a variety of subjects, but, the most important one is this. No group is a monolith. Well, perhaps those in service to certain name-stealing monsters. But, nonetheless. The Shadowspeakers are much the same. There are those amongst them that believe in the mercy offered by Her Grace, Eleyna Velenosa."

His smile flits like a razor. "There are consequences, however. And one of these is the nature of writs. They are still a bound people. Part of the great power of the Abyss in our era is that they can grant gifts of power in ways we do not. They are perceived to be stronger. Add the fact that they have great reason to fear the Compact... and, of course, the lovely events in the Oathlands of late, it is quite easy to see /why/ they do not trust us. But, in either consideration, we now have to prove ourselves."

"Which we will continue" Jaenelle says from the back, "the mercy shown. It is not something that has disappeared with her passing, and they must be reminded of this. As should any who further bend the knee in time to come. While some of these people did come into the Compact with ill intent, to hard and cause issues among out people, most did not."

Calypso looks up from her contemplation of the map at the mention of getting her clear of anything. "Some of my men will be on the expedition. I will not leave them to their fate while I run. So you need no extraction plan Lord Vitalis. Also I may have an asset that can assist in the city investigation. I will meet with and speak with them to see if they are agreeable to assisting. I suggest them for the city as I imagine tracking them down there will be more difficult than in the woodlands." Calypso tips her head forwards though. "I can assist with the research. Well assist in funding it that is." She inclines her head to Lucita, she remembers well. "And House Malvici thanks you Baroness." She offers with a subdued smile. "But, if we could drive the wedge between them and their Masters that would be preferable to open conflict in my streets and lands." She remarks in a dry tone.

Lucita's eyes narrow a little and she asks of Giulio. "In the case of involuntary enslavement, breaking writs may possibly help in some few cases if one can get them free of the other slaves before torn to pieces, but if these are turning voluntarily, breaking a writ will just have them returning to it of their choice, yes?"

Alessia glances around for a few moments as those in the yard speak. She looks thoughtful at Giulio's response to her query and she nods. "And the forces they serve will do their best to feed the distrust." She looks at the women he speaks, contemplating their words.

"Your Grace," Giulio says, nodding to Jaenelle. "I have no doubt of that. You are a most wise and able Regent." A sip is taken of the brandy, before he looks to Calypso, Alessia and Lucita, choosing to answer all at once. "Yes. What is even more complicated is discerning the difference between the two. Without doubt, there are those amongst them that serve of their own free will. And there are, of course, other matters. I would be pleased to discuss those realities and the approach to them in a more... private setting at a later date. Amongst other things."

"For now? We learn, perceive, understand -- then? We act. But not until then."

Vitalis bows to Jaenelle as she takes an opportunity to speak, "Yes, Highness. We are not hunting down enclaves of shav'arvani, we are searching for abyssal agents among them that we know have gone to ground-" he gestures at the map, "Somewhere." What Giulio said. There is more but he pauses to listen to Giulio and Lucita, then Calypso, "No offense intended, Duchess," Vitalis bows, "It is my objective to see our task accomplished and our safe return. All of us. If I have my way, they'll never know we were there until we're gone. And maybe not even then." He draws a deep breath, "This is a lot of information. There is yet more. Anyone who would like to stick around is welcome to, but I think traditionally-" Vitalis grins at Giulio, ceding the floor to him.

Lucita listens to Giulio and steadies herself with taking a slow deep breath then gives a nod. "Alright. I'll try to make myself available." She then falls into a respectful silence to listen further.

"I agree." Pasquale says "Attempting to put the clans to the sword, in order to rout out a few individuals, would be counter productive."

"I wanna help," calls Ras to Vitalis, from his place by the pillars. "Better at investigating than hacking, but I'm down to throw in wherever." Then, he seems to realize that the conversation is ongoing. He quiets, but lifts his chin stubbornly while listening.

"Alessia, if you would aid our darling Cousin, 'twould be most useful. Baronness Saik? On this? assist my cousin as well, if you would be as so kind. As to the general nature of things? This should always be our doctrine. Perceive. Understand. And then move in ways that one cannot see coming. Guard yourselves well, but, understand. This is a war of information and propaganda. Not one of blood and steel. Not yet, at the very least."

He looks towards those present. There's a glance towards Ras then, before he looks to Vitalis. "If you might direct him to Messire Agostino, I would appreciate him." Then, he looks to Lucita. "Baronness Saik, if I might have a word." The look he offers everyone (except the Archduchess) is a polite, but, clear dismissal.

Alessia turns to Vitalis with little hestiation, her smile growing. "I am at your service, cousin." She says. "Just let me know what I should do in preparation; in terms of training, research."

"I know we have no plans to just murder everyone" Jaenelle says with a smile, though Giulio is given a look, or do they, "not even you" she repeats. "Have you spoken to Arman lately?" she idly asks both Giulio and Vitalis before either of them run away. "Just curious."

Oh! "Messere Lodge, Ras," Vitlais stoops to pick up a handful of black sand, "These are abyssal agents," the sand, "Scatter them and we'll see if the breezes told us true or not." He nods, gesturing Ras to the map, "You're relieved of your Lodg-i-ness, thank you. Speak with Unseen Agostino about his endeavor in Southport. And stick around, there's more information."

Ras hesitates between the pillars, seeming confused, then nods. He leaves his sacred post to wander over nearby, scratching a hand roughly through his hair.

Vitalis grins at his cousin and bows to Baroness Lucita, "I am grateful to have both of you. We can speak more after this." To the others, "Thank you for coming, everyone, anything you can share or wish to know, let the Commander or me another Shield know." The other Shields are Inigo and Quenia.